The European Organisation for Rare Diseases awards Orphan Europe for exceptional contribution to reducing the impact of rare diseases on people's lives

Published 6:09 AM ET Wed, 26 Feb 2014
Globe Newswire

LA DEFENSE, France, Feb. 26, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EURORDIS (European Organisation for Rare Diseases) announced yesterday that Orphan Europe has been awarded the prestigious EURORDIS Company Award for distinction in the field of rare diseases. The award, presented at the EURORDIS ceremony held in celebration of Rare Disease Day in Brussels, recognises Orphan Europe's established track record in the field of orphan drug development. The award also distinguishes Orphan Europe's engagement with the rare disease community in improving the diagnosis and management of these diseases. Orphan Europe achieves this through work to establish scientific networks, engaging with patient organisations and its staff volunteering programme. Most lately Orphan Europe funded the Recordati Rare Diseases Foundation for advancing knowledge in rare diseases through independent, professional education and training.

The EURORDIS Awards are presented to pioneering companies developing treatments for rare diseases. The winners are selected based on the number of treatments approved or in development, the company policy on access to drugs, the track record with patient organisations and partnership with EURORDIS.

"We are honored to receive this award in recognition for our work in rare diseases. At Orphan Europe we understand the devastating effect of many rare diseases and the urgent need for companies like ours to develop new innovative treatments", said Corrado Castellucci, M.D. Vice President Orphan Drugs at Recordati, who accepted the award on behalf of Orphan Europe. "This award is a great thing for every person working at Orphan Europe, a company which places people with rare diseases at the heart of what they do".

"We are honoured to acknowledge the commitment and achievements of the recipients of the EURORDIS Awards on the occasion of Rare Disease Day 2014. This year, Rare Disease Day puts the spotlight on Care. Each of the 11 EURORDIS Award 2014 recipients is making a significant and unique contribution to improving access to the many different kinds of Care people living with a rare disease need and deserve. Working together, we are starting to make a real difference to the millions of patients and families throughout Europe who live with a rare disease," -Yann Le Cam, Chief Executive Officer, EURORDIS

In Europe a rare disease is defined as a condition that affects less than 5 per 10,000 inhabitants, and is fatal or severely debilitating. There are about 7,000 such diseases. While each disease is rare, when considered together they affect over 25 million Europeans or almost 1 in 10 people. There are certain challenges that all patients and families affected by rare diseases share.

About Orphan Europe

Orphan Europe is a pharmaceutical company which provides treatments for patients with unmet medical needs suffering from rare diseases. Orphan Europe, part of the Recordati group, has nearly 25 years' experience in bringing orphan drugs to market for rare diseases with 7 products to date and more in the pipeline. For more information, visit www.orphan-europe.com.